The Poor Man's Garden: or A Few Brief Rules for Regulating Allotments of Land to the Poor, for Potatoe Gardens, With Remarks, Addressed to Mr Malthus, Mr Sadler, and the Political Economists: and a Reference to the Opinions of Dr Adam Smith, in his "Wealth of Nations."
London: Printed for C.J.G. & F. Rivington, St. Paul's Church-Yard, and Waterloo-Place, Pall-Mall, 1830.
Booklet, sewn on cords (22 x 14 cm.), 23 pages. FIRST EDITION. An additional issue was published the same year by Hinde of Lichfield. The author suggests that allotments be supplied to the poor so they might labor at growing some of their own food. He predicts a number of results of the allotments: that the poor may contribute to their own subsistence; that gardening will lead to a higher degree of contentment amongst the poor; and that it will keep them out of mischief. Law invokes Adam Smith and Malthus throughout. While he follows Malthus' lead with a focus on potatoes, he also encourages some variety. At the end he credits his inspiration, "...my attention was first drawn to the subjects of poors'-gardens, by observing the system in active operation, and working much good, in Somersetshire, under the patronage and direction of the Bishop of Bath and Wells" (page 23). Disbound from compiled volume; some age-toning to text block; a spot or two to the final leaf. Near very good. [OCLC locates fifteen copies (and two copies of the 1830); Goldsmiths' Kress Library of Economic Literature, 26405].
Price: $250.00